Abstract: –
Despite the increasing environmental pressures on coral reef ecosystems, many are still thriving as they exhibit acclimatization mechanisms as response to a suite of co-occurring and temporally variable environmental stimuli. Genomic approaches have provided tools for coral reef studies to aid in understanding ecological responses to changes in the surrounding environment through information on the transcripts that are regulated across different environmental conditions. The transcriptome-wide responses of hard corals to environmental factors have been described for only a few species. To understand how communities are likely to cope with the rapidly changing climate, it is imperative to determine the underlying acclimatization mechanisms for a range of coral species at different levels of variation. My PhD thesis project aims to assess the relative contributions of host and algal symbionts in facilitating survival under varying environmental conditions, using conventional methods in assessing the physiological state of corals in conjunction with genomic approaches for inferring genetic mechanisms of acclimatization.

We are looking for undergraduate part-time assistants to help out with processing images and other data from the recently concluded Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey (CMBS) to the Animals and Plants of Singapore database from September 2016 to August 2017.

Project description:

The Comprehensive Marine Biodiversity Survey (CMBS) to survey and document Singapore’s marine biodiversity has recently concluded, and has so far uncovered at least 100 species new to science, 200 new records for Singapore, and 10 rediscoveries. Identification and bioimaging of specimens are now completed and they are now ready to be uploaded onto the Animals and Plants of Singapore (APS) database. APS is a LKCNHM-based initiative to document the flora and fauna of Singapore. As an image-focused database, it aggregates species from various scientific projects and individual, verified experts. It was launched in February 2015, and has since grown to over 2,700 species.

Several undergraduate part-time assistants will be needed for help in this process, with responsibilities and requirements listed below:

Responsibilities:

Data entry of specimen information into the database

Imaging of specimens

Image processing of existing specimens

Digital specimen curation

Requirements:

Be able to help out over the semester break and during term time. Working from home for a part of the time is acceptable.

Experience in using Microsoft Excel and Adobe Photoshop is desired, but the candidate can also learn on the job.

Standard undergraduate hourly wages (8.74SGD) will be paid

Contact

Please contact Mr Jonathan Ho, Research Assistant, Ecology and Evolution Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore at aps.lkcnhm@gmail.com